Catalytic Pilots to Strengthen the Health Policy and Systems Research Ecosystem in Asia Kick Off
As Asian countries implement health sector reforms to advance towards universal health coverage (UHC), demand is growing for country and regional learning on HSS, and for domestic health policy and systems research institutions (HPSRIs) to efficiently formulate and implement HSS.
Responding to this demand and to a co-created vision for a stronger HPSR ecosystem in Asia that is highly responsive to countries’ needs, the HPSRI-led pilots will map and strengthen HPSRI capacity, coordinate and enhance training, and increase understanding of domestic HPSR funding streams. Collectively, these activities move towards more sustainable policy engagement models and HPSRIs that can better respond to country demand and needs.
Pilot Overview
Pilot activities are led by HPSRIs based in India, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, and Sri Lanka, alongside regional training programs and learning platforms. Financial support is being provided by the USAID Asia Bureau, with additional co-funding and in kind support by the pilot organizations, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (the Alliance), the Asia Pacific Network for Health Systems Strengthening (ANHSS), the Leadership for Universal Health Coverage (L4UHC), the Philippines Department of Health – Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, and Providing for Health (P4H). Pilots will operate from Fall 2022 through early Summer 2023. A convening to highlight lessons learned and next steps will follow in mid-2023.
Background Information
With support from the USAID Asia Bureau, the Accelerator undertook several foundational activities in collaboration with the Alliance that led to the ecosystem strengthening pilots, including:
- Regional landscaping analysis documenting ~100 HPSRIs across 27 countries in Asia, the role they play in the HPSR ecosystem, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration and action (2019 – 2020).
- Virtual six-part co-creation workshop series (2021) co-led with the Alliance, engaging HPSRIs, training programs and learning platforms, and regional actors to build a shared vision of a strengthened ecosystem and priority strengthening pathways.
- Six co-led (HPSRI and training program) action groups (2021-2022) further developing the priority pathways, fostering dialogue around research agenda-setting, and creating tools. Several ideas presented at the March 2022 Marketplace became the basis of pilot proposals.
- Two-phase request for proposals for ~9 months of catalytic pilot funding and to explore partnership models (2022), reviewed by a committee of academics, former policymakers, HSPRIs, funders, and USAID representatives.
Interested in learning more? Download the Pilot Factsheet or join our google group:
AsiaHPSRStrengthening.googlegroups.com
